Regular relocation is a fact of life for members of the armed services and their families. Deployment and change of station often mean these families must uproot themselves and move to a new home. If you’re new to the military community and find yourself here, you’re probably wondering: What is PCS?
Military moving is often called a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Compared to a traditional long-distance move, military PCS is unique. There are complexities you won’t find elsewhere, which makes finding the right moving services to facilitate your required relocation even more critical.
Understanding Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
The PCS is a part of life for all military personnel. Understanding how the military moving process works and carefully planning for it is essential for a successful move, especially for those who need long-distance moving services or are transporting not just themselves but their spouse and children, too.
Definition and Importance of PCS
Military PCS refers to the official relocation of active-duty military service members to a different duty location. It’s a practice that began in the early days of the U.S. military. The PCS was established largely to encourage diverse experience for personnel from all branches. PCS allows the military to strategically position its workforce, enhance skills with varied assignments, and maintain its global readiness.
Types of PCS Moves
Every PCS move falls into two main categories: CONUS (within the continental United States) and OCONUS (outside of the continental United States) PCS moves. The differences between the two are as follows:
CONUS PCS
CONUS PCS moves are pretty self-explanatory. They involve relocating within the contiguous 48 states. General benefits of a CONUS relocation include simpler logistics, fewer necessary cultural adjustments, and shorter travel time.
OCONUS PCS
OCONUS PCS moves involve relocation to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, or foreign countries. Compared to CONUS PCS moves, they require more complex logistics like international shipping and customs. Additional planning and preparation, including passports, visas, and vaccinations, are also involved with this type of military move. Travel times and jet lag are major concerns, as are the cultural and language adjustments these moves typically require.
CONUS vs. OCONUS PCS Moves
Both types of moves present unique challenges and opportunities for military families. While OCONUS moves often bring more cultural experiences, they’re a major change for many people and require extensive planning.
CONUS PCS moves include:
- Relocation within the 48 contiguous states
- Relatively simple logistics
- Fewer necessary cultural adjustments
- Shorter travel times
OCONUS PCS moves include:
- Relocation to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and foreign countries
- Complex logistics
- Additional preparation, including passports, visas, and vaccinations
- Longer travel times and jet lag
Who is Eligible for PCS
Military moving through PCS is available to active duty service members across all branches. It’s also applicable to National Guard members on extended active duty and reserve members who’ve been called to active duty for extended periods.
Eligibility is typically determined by the length of the new assignment and the military’s current needs. Depending on the length of the assignment, family members may be authorized to accompany the service member. Of course, this is subject to specific regulations and circumstances.
The Military PCS Moving Process
The military moving process looks very different from traditional household moves whether you’re hiring long-distance moving services or not. Whereas you might oversee the majority preparation and planning during a traditional move, much of your decision-making for PCS moves will be dictated by Uncle Sam.
Receiving PCS Orders
All PCS moves are initiated by receiving official orders. These orders outline your destination, timeline, and reporting dates. A clear understanding of these orders is key because they dictate your preparation. You must arrive at the new duty station on the reporting date.
Your first step will be to carefully review the orders, as they contain critical details about your entitlements and allowances. Promptly initiating travel arrangements and housing plans upon receipt of PCS orders is critical to ensuring a well-organized move for you and your loved ones – no matter where you’re headed!
Preparing for a PCS Move
Preparing for your PCS move requires meticulous planning and organization. Gather all necessary documents, including orders, identification, and financial records. Having these on hand helps avoid any last-minute hassles or confusion. Consider creating a new binder or folder that you can use throughout the move to organize and preserve important documents and financial records.
Once you have the pertinent details of your move clearly established, create a comprehensive PCS checklist. A checklist ensures you don’t overlook critical steps like scheduling transportation or updating your address.
Arranging Transportation
Arranging transportation for your PCS typically falls under two umbrellas: a government-arranged move or a personally procured move (PPM).
In a government-arranged move, the military takes care of transporting your household goods (HHG) and provides a convenient solution. With a PPM, you have the freedom to hire your own moving services, potentially earning a reimbursement. In this scenario, you should find reliable moving brokers offering military moving services. Safe Ship Moving Services, a veteran-owned and -operated company, understands the nuances and challenges of the PCS process and can connect you with movers who have the required experience and knowledge.
Temporary Lodging and Housing
During a PCS move, securing temporary lodging and housing is critical. You also need to understand your available allowances to ease this transition: the Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) and Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE).
For overseas (OCONUS) moves, the TLA helps cover the cost of temporary accommodations while you await permanent housing. In most cases, you will receive authorization for up to 60 days TLA upon arrival at an OCONUS station and ten days when leaving one. The arrival TLA requires that you seek permanent housing and verify it with command every 15 days.
For CONUS moves, the TLE serves a similar purpose, offsetting your expenses during the relocation period. A TLE typically offers partial payment for your expenses for around ten days. The payment is based on the per diem at your temporary housing location. You can, however, split the amount between your old and new station as necessary. The maximum amount is $290 daily, and receipts are required for reimbursement.
Both allowances reduce the financial burden of finding short-term housing and allow you and your family to settle into your new surroundings. Knowing the limitations of both the TLA and TLE is essential to ensuring a seamless military moving experience.
Managing PCS Expenses
Whether it’s a PPM or a government-arranged one, managing the expenses for your PCS move is crucial for a successful relocation. Understanding the specific PCS entitlements and allowances available to you can significantly ease the financial stress of moving. As part of a PCS move, service members are eligible for various allowances that help cover those costs, like dislocation allowances and mileage reimbursements.
Carefully review your orders. Discuss available entitlements with your finance office to maximize those benefits. Keep a detailed budget and track all expenses to avoid surprises. Using the available resources, you can efficiently manage your budget and ensure the transition to your new duty station goes smoothly.
What Resources Are Available to Help with a Military PCS Move?
Military support programs and online resources are available to help you with your PCS move. In addition to resources that help plan your move, you can also seek sponsorship to help you get settled.
For those who want to do a PPM CONUS move, a moving broker that facilitates military moving services is an excellent way to streamline the process and manage costs. Safe Ship Moving Services helps our military service members by supporting them throughout the process by sourcing quotes from moving companies that have the required security clearance and handling procedures to manage their belongings.
To learn more about how Safe Ship simplifies military moves, contact us today.
Our commitment to service helps you find licensed cross-country movers within our carrier network at fair, competitive prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can you PCS in the army?
Most military service members are assigned or transferred to their permanent duty station (PDS) for two to four years. Service members can sometimes choose from several preferred duty stations, but the military’s needs are often the deciding factor.
What is a PCS in the military?
A military PCS is a permanent change of station that refers to the relocation of personnel. It typically entails receiving orders to move to a new duty station that requires logistical planning and adjustments for the soldier and their family.
Is a PCS a deployment?
A PCS usually involves relocating a service member and their family to a new duty station for an extended period. Deployments, however, are temporary assignments — often to combat zones — where the service member operates away from their permanent base, usually without their family.
Can I hire my own movers for a PCS?
You can hire your own movers for a PCS through a PPM. This option allows you to choose a preferred moving service and receive reimbursement for your expenses. Safe Ship Moving Services can help you find an appropriate moving company near you.
How can I make a military move easier for my family?
One of the best ways to make a military move easier for your family is to create a detailed moving plan and checklist to stay on target for meeting your deadlines and under budget. Keep open communication about the move with all family members and involve them in decision-making as much as possible. For PPM moves, consider using resources like a moving broker who provides military moving services for professional help.
